Its work boot allowance time, lets try out a new pair of boots....

[@michaelwhiting878]

I worked at a large power plant for nearly 40 years, and we had electrical rooms that had 4160v, and 12,000v to power large pumps. There were areas we had access to that were behind secure panels (bolted closed) that had 25,000v and we had transmission switch yards with 230,000v and 500,000v that we had to do equipment checks in. Around 1998, Our employer started requiring us to have boots rated to withstand 18,000v which covered most of our 12,000 volt electrical busses. I wear a size 16EEEE shoe, so I had to have my boots custom made to meet all the safety requirements including electrical. The company that did that was WESCO out of Oregon that traditionally made boots for the logging industry, so they were known to be super high quality durable boots. Although they were expensive boots, my union forced the company to pay for them after I demonstrated that there were no “Off the Shelf” boots in my size. They costs about $350 to be custom made, but if needed, they could be rebuilt for about $150 to like new standard. They were so well built, that I only had to have that done once in the 25+ years I wore them, so to me, they were more cost effective in the long run than good off the shelf boots.

[@melgross]

Damn, you must be as big as a grizzly.

[@brnmcc01]

Dang, that's huge! I bet nobody pisses you off at work! Unless they want a size 16 boot in their ass. lol

[@d3faulted2]

I have a pair of JK boots, custom built because my foot is 12.5 EEEEEEE (yes that's 7 E's wide). Same vein as the Wesco boots, pacific north west built. Now adays your looking at $700+ for that style of boot. The only things i could find that would fit my feet width wise were sketchers and i had to go through 2-3 pairs a year. Figured $100 2-3 times a year, might as well buy something that'll actually fit and could last for a bloody long time with resoles..

[@charlottesspot]

good to know

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I started reading that and when I got the 18kv requirement I knew right away a custom boot was the only way. I am surprised you could find a company to make that. I have heard of Wesco, I guess it’s not too surprising a custom boot maker could do it. Around here 98% of everything is a size 13 and less, you would probably have 3 boots to pick from in the whole city of size 16, and definitely not in 4e lol. If I ever get an offer for a free custom pair of boots I am sending it to you 😀👍.

[@jnieveslocobanana]

They remind me of some of my artists which have lasted me 4 years and are now just showing wear.

[@andrewbradstreet4218]

As a repair tech, we get stuck out in the mud far to often as well. Trick for keeping ur boots clean is to hit em w air, using a longer blowgun, last thing before ya punch out. I'm a midget compared to you tho, but you ota be able to find or build decent air blaster that's long enough for ya. I put a little bend in mine, right at the business end of it, works perfect!

[@shawnweber5400]

I have a pair of the boondocks and switchbacks both with composite toes (for weight) going on 2 years now and they are by far the most comfortable and longest lasting boots I've ever owned.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

That’s definitely good news. Nothings worse than having boots fail fast. There are plenty of boots in the 150-200$ range that will take your money and give you 6 months of use max lol.

[@kelvinelrick807]

Another major benefit to composite toe, which is the reason I have composite toe, is its ability to let go of your toes if something were to actually happen. The MythBusters, when they were still on TV, tested steel and composite toe boots. Since the steel is malleable it cut through part of the ballistics gel and held onto the gel. In order for them to take the foot out of the boot the toes would have had to be cut off or the boot cut off the foot. Where as the composite toe cracked into many pieces and it allowed to gel foot to come out of the boot without much of a fight. The composite toes also tend to be a little warmer in the winter.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Interesting. I remember watching that mythbusters episode but don’t remember the results (other than safety toes work). I know with cheap boots the steel toe rusts your socks bad lol. I thought that was a normal thing and once I stopped buying 50$ pairs everything was fine lol.

[@rudyrivera7426]

Good review! Thanks for sharing! Greg! 👌👍

[@brnmcc01]

Nice! I also have a pair of TImberland Pro's steel toe boots. They're heavy but comfortable. Have had them for years, they're still in mint condition. Used them the other day to shovel out 10+" of snow from my driveway and what the plow truck left me for a parting gift...lol

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Those plow trucks are happy to bury a drive lol. Glad to hear the pros you had have lasted. It’s hard to know what you’re buying will last decent. What companies will sell you yet charge a ton of money for, can be ridiculous.

[@spacetruckin6555]

+1 on Thorogood Moc toes. Mine are composite toe by requirements. I've never worn a more comfortable workboot in my life, they double as my riding boots. I wear leg spats in the shop to increase the mileage.

[@Kevin-is-here]

Moc toe tends to hold the sparks, I like the Thorogood wedge heal round toe

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

They definitely do, and good call on the round toe. They stay in good shape far longer, especially if torch cutting is done a lot lol.

[@tallyman15]

Good information on these boots. I need to check them out.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

They honestly seem to be better than I expected. I got burned on so many boots in the past that I avoided any boot that even looked like the timberlands in the video because I figured they were all the same. If they handle 6 months with me wearing them I would definitely give them the thumbs up.

[@tallyman15]

@makingmistakeswithgreg I had a pair of the Red Wing Irish setters in the past and they never really fit my fit well maybe they were the wrong size I don't know but I wasn't impressed with those.

[@joeykane2577]

Timberland pro seems to have come a long way in the last few years, I’ve stuck with danner moc toes for my last couple years but one brand you might find comfortable with wide feet are keen! They are designed for wide toes and are very comfortable out of the box Can’t say how long they’ll last but I’ve been welding off and on in them for the last 3 months and not much wear at all on them. They aren’t built as overkill as most boots though so mileage may vary if you are that hard on boots. I will be keeping my eye on these though if they treat you well.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I will try them next I think. I have seen a ton of their hiking boots at the outdoors stores, and they seem to have a cult following. Even if I don’t buy work boots from them I could use a pair of hiking boots.

[@jnieveslocobanana]

They should be great for wet areas , and in the cold you will hate them in the summer though.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

That’s what I am thinking. I have been wearing them for about a week now and they are far warmer than most boots I have. In the middle of the summer I think they will be flat out too hot. I will find out for sure though 😅

[@jnieveslocobanana]

@makingmistakeswithgreg I enjoyed mine they are starting to go though. Found that I could alternate The boots by weather to make them last longer

[@charlottesspot]

good to know

[@Owen-w2e]

I switched over to timberland pro about 9 years ago on 5 th pair , last ones are not wanting to wear out at all and feet never hurt ,my last 3 pairs are ventstep there comfortable, I got them in 14 medium fit great ,I tried the boondocks on the pair was more like a 13 and looked like a 18 . I thought id hit gas,brake and clutch with one foot lol. I gave up double h,redwings,Irish setters and last was ariat.. I think you will be happy with the timberland pro brand

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Great info. I laughed at your boondock comment, they definately look bigger than the size, the toe has a bit of a clown toe to it. I am on week 2 of wearing them and they are sweet. Way more traction on snow than I am used to. Definitely different driving with them on though, they are far bigger lol.

[@Owen-w2e]

​@makingmistakeswithgreg they are definitely "" MUDMEATS! "" on the sole 😂 it is more of a snow tromper for sure .

[@garthland]

I've always had good luck with US made Carolina 'loggers',the work we do is murder on laces! Now that I'm here at the farm there's no steel toe requirement so I'm rocking US made doubleH slip on square toe.Haven't bought laces in 4 years,wierd!

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I have tried on tons of slip ons (not that brand) and for some reason they never fit right. The square toes are nice for room. They are always tight at the ankle for me. Maybe that’s a break in deal, since all my lace up boots I tighten up almost to max at points because they are too big at the ankle. The lack of melting off of laces must be nice lol.

[@Chops_1980]

Mine are over 2yrs old and still going strong. Piece rate electrician.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

That’s good news, and what I was hoping to hear 😀👍.

[@kelvinelrick807]

Have you though about getting removable studs for your boots or some chains that you stretch around the sole? iGrip Studs makes tiny removeable studs for boots, they also make them for any rubber that comes into contact with the ground. I've personally been using the shoe chains since they're easy to take off when I go inside, makes it less likely to slip on a concrete floor. I also take them off when I drive so I don't ruin my pedals, and my clutch pedal would be a pain to fix if it goes bad from wearing studs in my boots.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I definitely need to get a pair of those, I know exactly what you’re talking about. The smooth bottom boots offer zero traction on ice lol. A slip on set would solve that for sure.

[@stich1960]

As someone that enjoys seeing how things work i cant recomend enough the yt rose anvil, they cut boots in half and show how they are made and quality of them. Not sure if they have done the timberland pros, they def have done your thourogoods.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I saw a couple videos from him a while back. I looked into the timberland pro and he didn’t seem to cover the same boot I bought. I remember watching some big brand name boots that materially were made cheaper than 60$ Walmart boots lol. That’s what scares me, there are many companies that will take 150$ and sell you junk lol.

[@stich1960]

@makingmistakeswithgreg yep some of them are surprising like the times or dc martins, thorogoods are a good value but not perfect. I upgraded to the whites perry selects which are similar to the thourogoods but some higher end material etc. could resist the black Friday price. Haven't seen them yet though. I say that mostly because you may be able to get a better fit with whites (check out there sizing guide)

[@JohnsonBuck]

Just got these at random with my own boot allowance. The salt at work kills everything, I say 9 months at best. Last Cat pair were pretty beat in 4 and totally smoked by the 7 month mark.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

The last cat pair I bought (15 years ago) lasted 4 months of general use and failed lol. I bet if you’re exposed to salt all the time it tears boots up. I had a pair of all leather boots shrink 2 sizes over night from a salt/calcium chloride mix, I can’t imagine anything short of an all rubber boot holding up.

[@JohnsonBuck]

Thanks for the response. You're right on the rubber. The BA is only for one specific chain, and their in-store lace up selection is quite limited. Pull ons just don't work for me.

[@Bob-cu6uw]

my surprise find and seemingly best keep secret in the last year was New Balance makes a side zip comp toe low rise work boot called Calibre. a bit narrow in the toe-box but otherwise the best boots I've had in years.I still grind through em coz I'm on asphalt all the time, but it takes me a few months longer on average than a lot of other stuff I've owned that i've destroyed in a month.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Never knew they made work boots. And they have double wide besides just wide sizes. Wonder why I have never seen them anywhere, their shoes seem to be everywhere.

[@Bob-cu6uw]

@@makingmistakeswithgreg everyone who sees em on my feet or whom I tell says the same thing. last time I looked they weren't on the NB website neither. The double-wides are good in the middle but a bit pinched up in the mid-toe width, though the toe box as a whole is roomy, and they to stretch out a bit as you break em in. Mind you I've never worn out a single set of uppers, my super power is absolutely destroying the soles of anything I wear. I have to stuff some pretty substantial hard plastic exoskeletons in em in place of the OEM foam, and they hold up and fit good with that, too. So much so that when I though they were going out of prod last winter I went around to all the different boot sites and bought up all the 12EE's I could find.

[@steeveejee4647]

i just got a pair of merrell moab 2 vertex carbon fiber 10.5 wide and i really like em. there pretty comfortable and lightweight safety toe and seem pretty awesome so far after a couple weeks though they were 150 bucks see how long they last. i used to get the timberland pro pit boss' every year but the soles would get flat after like 9 or 10 months

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

That’s one brand of boots I have never bought, I have heard good things, hopefully they last for you. There are so many brands that charge 150$ now for junk it’s hard to find something decent that will last lol.

[@steeveejee4647]

@@makingmistakeswithgreg i been going through that with the tims then last year i bought a pair of rockports which were absolutely horrible and $125 i had to go back to the previous years timberland pros but they have zero tread on them now. These merrills seem really nice and wide i'll let you know if they are worth it after the winter.

[@markhamilton1847]

As a retired electrician I remember being told I could not wear a fairly new pair of boots because they were steel toe and was not osha approved.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

Yep, there are all sorts of requirements that go well above the normal in certain industries. It makes sense In many cases, but in some it’s a bit overreaching lol.

[@Leeshlongington]

I have the same problem with wide feet, I’ve had 4 pairs of red wings that I’ve given away because they just don’t make them wide enough.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

So few boots out there are wide, even when labeled as such. Most companies will make one particular boot with a much wider toe box/overall design, and that’s it. If that doesn’t work you’re out of luck. The worst is when you buy a pair and they seem ok at first and then 2-3 days on the job site and it’s not cutting it.

[@d3faulted2]

Same here. If your willing to spend the money JK boots have off the shelf out to 5E and you can custom order boots out to 8E width. I got a pair of 11.5 8E from them. They can also do steel toe out to that width. Their measuring system is 1 size down from the Brannock device (the thing used to measure feet in shoe stores). I believe Whites boots will make super wide as well.

[@Nuf_Nivah]

What winter work gloves do you wear

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I generally don’t wear gloves but the older I get the more I realize that’s dumb 😅. I generally go to the local hardware store and try on a bunch of gloves and pray one fits. I have really big hands and 2xl + gloves are hard to find. Edit: almost forgot, I picked up a pair of wells Lamont hydrahyde gloves (they are insulated yellow gloves) recently and they fit ok once broken in. They work pretty good for welding with and not catching fire too lol.

[@d3faulted2]

If your ever willing to spend the money, try a pair of PNW boots from the likes of JK, Nicks, Whites, Wesco, etc. They are built like a tank, downsides are they're expensive (made in USA will do that to you), a bit heavy (lots of THICK leather), and have an extended break in period due to all that thick leather. But most of the companies will build them to your spec and foot size. Whites will even work with foot tracings to make sure you get a good fit.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I looked at Jk and Nicks, I even had a few of them in my cart. The hard part for me is dealing with the disappointment if they don’t fit properly. Every time I buy something I don’t try on it’s guaranteed to fit wrong 😅.

[@d3faulted2]

@makingmistakeswithgreg My experience with JK was very positive. I have the same issue with things fitting. I had decided to buy a pair of their forefront boots 12.5 5e off the shelf. They say to buy a size down from your normal but I'm used to buying a size up because my foot is so wide. I got them in and they fit horrible. Way too long ( they aren't kiding in their sizing guide), a bit tight on the side and worst of all the arch's. I have big wide flat feet and high arch's in shoes/boots murder me. My right arch popped and I had pain in it for 2 weeks. Needless to say I returned them, didn't knock them because it's not their fault my feet are weird. They called me to talk about the return. I explained to them my issues and they offered to make me a custom boot. They lowered the arch's and made me the correct size according to their chart. I went from not being able to wear them for 5 minutes to wearing them all day. They also don't joke about the extended break in period. It took about a month for them to be truly comfortable. Now I've been wearing them for 10 months and they are the most comfortable work boots I've ever had. I don't even use foam insoles, and I work as a mechanic standing on concrete all day. Grant it this is my experience with a sample size of 1. Others mileage may vary. But I say buy a pair using g their sizing guide. Try them on and if they don't fit, return them. As long as you follow their return rules they'll take them back.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

@@d3faulted2​​⁠ that definitely gives me hope that I could get a proper fit from them. I will definitely consider them as a birthday gift to myself in a couple months 👍👍

[@MegaSchoolman]

I miss when Dr Martens sold steel toes, had my Winches for a year and a half, just changed the insoles

[@bratvlad]

Have you consider making a welding table from all metal?

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

So I could make a table from all metal. I actually have a bunch of lighter duty tables that are all metal. The reason my main one is a wood base is because I used scrap wood laying around to make it a couple years ago 😅. It actually works great and hasn’t caught fire yet.

[@theseldomseenkid6251]

Danner makes some nice boots. Can get some that are made in the USA, and those are recraftable.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

I wanted to try their quarry boot but I couldn’t find anyplace with a pair to try on before I bought. Their moc toe boots are pretty sweet too.

[@theseldomseenkid6251]

@makingmistakeswithgreg Free shipping and returns. If you wait for a sale, they are more affordable. Also, I think they send you a birthday discount code.

[@googlegok9637]

I always burn up my bootlaces.

[@makingmistakeswithgreg]

“Why are my boots loose…. Look down and see the laces are no longer tight” 😅